Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-11-26
THE BOYS IN BLUE.
Gen. Ordway Issues n Circular Com.
plimenting the National Guard.

NOTES OF THURSDAYS PARADE-THB PROPOSED Or
GANIzATIoN INTO REGIMENTs-vACANCIEs IN THE
RANK OF MAJOR TO BE FILLED-cOMPANIEs THAT
HAVE UNIFORMED THEMSELVES.
That Gen. Ordway was highly pleased with the
turnout OF the District militia on Thursday is
evidenced by the following circular which he
issued to-day:
"The condition OF the weather having made It
necessary to dispense with the drin and formal
parade ordered to be held on the oath inst, do
not deem it proper to promugate In general orders
my commentator Of the troops assembled
cannot, however, let the occasion pass without
expressing to the entire command the fact that
their appearance and bearing were a gratifying
surprise. The command marched more than 2K
miles without halt, performed fine evolutions on
the route, and at the end OF the march had the
distances between subdivisions with which they
started. Three months ago this would have been
impossible The result indicates what the National
Guard can accomplish, and should encourage every
of1cer and soldier to devote himself to attaining
that perfection the attainment of which has been
mace ar 50 ~ Ssr
frst assembly, this expression OF my commenda-
ttOn. ALBERT ORDwAY,
"Bngad1er- General Commanding"
GENERAL ORDER TO-DAY.
Gen. Ordway to-day issued q general order to the
District OF Columbia militia providing that until
further orders the bayonet and bayonet scabbard
will be discarded as a part of the regular equip
ment. Front sight-coverS Will remain on the
pieces; arms will be stacked with the swivel.
Commanding officers are authorized, however, To
order the occasional uncoverng OF ront-sights and
the temporary use OF bayonets and bayonet scab-
ist % 5th M sth m and 7tS battalons transfers within
the battalion win be made by the battalion COM
mander. and reported by him to headquarters. In
ers will act as mastering officers for their respec-
tive companies. Company b, 1st battalion, ts
transferred 10 the I'd battalion, and assigned
thereto as Company d. The 1st and 4th battal-
ions are assigned to form the first regiment OF in
fantry, and the I'd and Sd battalons to form the
second regiment. Pending the appointmen,S, Of Of
commanded by the senior battalion commander.
NATIONAL GUARD NOTES.
There was one feature about the parade Thurs
day which was especially noticeable, and that was
the leggings that the soldiers wore. They are an
important innovation in the Uniform adopted for
The members OF the 9Th battalion (colored, are
evidently determined not to be distanced by their
white brethren. Nearly every man has purchased
7. ]. Erwin, Of the War Department an ex-
member OF the old Washington Light Infantry
Of the Sd battalion by the newly major, A.
j. Robinson. Mr.. Erwin has accepted, and Will
enter upon his duties as soon as Maj. Robinson has
About the nrst OF December Gen. Ordway Will
consolidate the LIST and 4th battali0ns, thereafter
to be known as the lst regiment, and the I'd and
Sd battalions will be made the Cd regiment In
organizing the District militia, Gen. Ordway
adopted the German plan OF making q regiment
out OF every three battalions instead OF ten CON-
pan1es.
The election OF A. j. Robinson to be major OF
the Sd leaves only two vacancies to be filled in the
rank Of major OF battalion They are in the I'd
and 4th battaNonS
Major Moore says that only 33h per cent OF his
men were in rank ON Thursday. Nevertheless
they made q ffne appearance They lack the cap
and blouse to complete the new uniform.
The National Fencibles did some very creditable
work Thursday on the march and field.
Co. ID, Of the 4th Hogan Camp Guard have the
whole uniform, and 30 have the boys OF Co.
(Nattonal Fencibles).